This week’s Epicenter includes 30 Earthquakes Alumni who will be on hand for the 2013 Hall of Fame Inductee Ceremony. Fans will be able to meet and greet some of their favorite Quakes players from the past. Quakes fans will also be able to enjoy face painting and poster making as well as other great activities.
Jamba Juice, Ruffies, State Farm, Windows 8, T-Mobile and Wells Fargo will also have booths located in the Epicenter.

Portland Timbers Scouting Report

Portland (8-2-10, 34 pts.) enter this weekend’s match second in the Western Conference and third in the Supporters’ Shield race. Under the guidance of first-year head coach Caleb Porter, the Timbers have become the most difficult team in MLS to beat with a league-low two losses in 2013. The Johnsons – forward Ryan and midfielder Will, no relation – lead the way in scoring with six goals apiece. Playmaker Diego Valeri paces Portland with six assists. The Timbers will have all of their CONCACAF Gold Cup participants in camp ahead of this weekend’s match, including Will Johnson (Canada), Frederic Piquionne (Martinique) and Anthony Wallace (Costa Rica) after their squads were eliminated from the tournament.

At halftime, former defender and coach Momcilo “Gabbo” Gavric and former president Peter Bridgwater will be inducted to the Earthquakes’ hall of Fame. Gavric was an original Earthquakes player and served as the Quakes iron-willed defender during the mid-70s. Gavric earned co-MVP honors of the first NASL indoor championship in 1975. Gavric later coached the Earthquakes to their best NASL season in 1976, after retiring as a player. After leaving England, where Bridgwater worked as poBlice officer, he became general manager of the Vancouver Whitecaps of the NASL in 1979. Bridgwater became the Earthquakes GM in 1984. When the NASL folded, Bridgwater founded the3 Western Soccer Alliance, helping to the keep the sport alive in the Bay Area. Bridgwater helped San Jose secure on of the MLS’s original teams in 1995, with the help of soccer visionary Dan Van Voorhis, Bridgwater presented the MLS Inagural Match at Spartan Stadium on April 6, 1996. Bridwater was the San Jose club president from 1996-98 and continued to promote international matches, while serving as a consultant tot eh Earthquakes in 2005.

Busch Three Away from 100th Career Win

Veteran goalkeeper Jon Busch is three wins away from 100 in his 13-year career. Busch has 37 wins in 104 games with the Earthquakes since signing on March 28, 2010. He also had 35 wins with the Columbus Crew from 2002-06 and 25 with the Chicago Fire from 2007-09. He recorded his first win in a 1-0 shutout with the Columbus Crew against D.C. United on April 27, 2002.

March to 200 Continues

The Earthquakes are five wins away from their 200th as an MLS club. San Jose secured their 100th win on July 19, 2003 against D.C. United when the Earthquakes won 2-1. Manny Lagos scored the game winner in the 54th minute.

Martinez Scores First Career MLS Goal

Honduran midfielder Walter Martinez scored his first career MLS goal in the Earthquakes’ 1-0 win against Seattle Sounders FC at Buck Shaw Stadium on July 13. Martinez collected an errant shot from teammate Steven Lenhart, cut back and sent a perfectly-placed shot to the top corner in the 48th minute. The 31-year-old veteran signed with the Earthquakes on March 15, 2013 after a stint in China’s first division.

Earthquakes Earn Second Clean Sheet of 2013

Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch earned his second clean sheet of the season in the Earthquakes’ 1-0 win against Seattle Sounders FC at Buck Shaw Stadium on July 13. Busch made one save on the night with defenders Steven Beitashour, Victor Bernardez, Jason Hernandez, Justin Morrow and Dan Gargan, who replaced an injured Hernandez in the 45th minute, limited Seattle to one shot on goal. San Jose’s last shutout came in another 1-0 win against Sounders FC on March 23 at Buck Shaw Stadium.

Watson Wins in Buck Shaw Stadium Debut

Interim head coach Mark Watson picked up a win in his Buck Shaw Stadium debut on July 13. The Earthquakes topped Seattle Sounders FC 1-0 thanks to a goal from Honduran winger Walter Martinez. Watson’s home debut was a thrilling 3-2 comeback win against the LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium on June 29.